Unemployed Nigerians now 11.5 million- NBC

The National Bureau of Statistics has said that the number
ofNigerians that are unemployed rose
from 11.19million as at the end of the
third quarter of 2016 to 11.55million
in the fourth quarter of 2016.

The NBS stated this in its unemployment report which was
released on Monday night.

The report explained that during the period, the
unemployment rate rose from 13.9 per cent to 14.2 per cent.

The NBS report said that unemployment rate was highest for
persons in the labour force between the ages of 15‐24 and 25‐34, which
represents the youth population in Nigeria.

For instance, it said the unemployment rate was highest for
those within the ages of 15 to 24 rising from 25 per cent to 25.2 per cent.

For the 25 to 34 age group, the unemployment rate, according
to the NBS reportincreased from 15 per
cent to 15.4 per cent.

It noted that unemployment and underemployment was higher
for women than men in the fourth quarter of 2016.

For instance, it said 16.3 per cent of women in the labour
force were unemployed as at the end of the fourth quarter of 2016.

On the other hand, the report said 12. 3 per cent of males
were unemployed in the fourth quarter of 2016.

It said, “The economically active population increased from
108.03 million to 108.59 million, this represents a 0.5 percent increase over
the previous quarter and a 3.4 per cent increase when compared to fourth
quarter 2015.”